ST. LOUIS – Mets top prospect Zack Wheeler will miss his next start with Triple-A Las Vegas and will travel to New York Wednesday to visit team doctors after reporting soreness around his right clavicle (medical jargon for collarbone) Monday, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco announced today.

The Las Vegas training staff examined the right-hander Monday, but the Mets, admittedly displaying a higher level of caution because of Wheeler’s importance, do not want to risk further injury without a thorough examination.

Wheeler allowed two runs on six hits over 7 1/3 innings Saturday, but Ricco said the issue did not develop during the outing.

“It was something that he felt a couple of days after,” Ricco said. “It's near his right clavicle. That's all I have right now until we have a doctor see him tomorrow. I think we're being a little bit conservative given who it is."

Wheeler’s appointment in New York will come two days before fellow top prospect Travis d’Arnaud has his fractured right foot re-examined Friday. The Mets hope the catcher will be cleared to begin weight-bearing activities following the examination.

Wheeler, 22, began the season struggling with his command. Through his first five starts he posted a 5.79 ERA and walked 15 batters.

But his recent success – in his last three outings he’s allowed three runs, walked three, and struck out 19 over 20 innings – spurred chatter that he would join the big-league club by the beginning of June.

Though both Ricco and manager Terry Collins tempered the ailment’s severity, a missed start will push back Wheeler’s arrival regardless. It is also a body blow to an organization reeling at the major-league level -- partly due to incompetent starting pitching.

“From what I've heard today, it doesn't sound serious,” Collins said. “But any time you miss a start, it's for the best interest of the player. We'll wait to hear the doctor's report and go from there. If it's only one start, that's certainly something we can handle easily."